Aaaaand Action!

Ahem. I really do need to get back into the habit of blogging regularly, as in, once a week regularly, rather than once a month (I first typed “hagit” here. What would that be, I wonder – a hagish habit?). I promise I’ll work on it! The thing is just, there’s so much going on, the days are flying past and I never get to do everything I am planning to. It’s a great way of being, after the inertia – or rather, the one-sidedness of sitting on my ass and working day-in, day-out – of the past years, but it can get a little hectic.

So what’s keeping me busy? My new bow, among other things, check out the picture above. Isn’t it gorgeous? I’m currently working on re-building muscles in my shoulder and back after not shooting for so long, so I’m doing 30 shots every day in the garden. I’ve also fiiiiiiiinally started with HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) after really really wanting to for years. Only a few weeks in, I’m already getting used to the dialogue every HEMA person knows by heart:

Me: “I’m into Historical European Martial Arts. In other words, swordfighting among other things.”

Other Person: “Oh, is that like fencing? Like at the Olympics?”

Me: “No, it’s historical fencing, the way people did way back when.”

OP: “Oh, more like re-enactment then.”

Me. “No, not that either. It’s *actual* fighting, based on historical training manuals dating anywhere from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.”

OP: *blank stare*

There’s a lovely documentary if you’re interested. Even just the first five or ten minutes of it will give you an idea.

I’m also still doing yoga and aerobics, and I dance to at least a few songs every day, so I think it’s safe to say I’ve healed and regained at least part of my old strength and endurance! I’ve also lost around 40 of the 47 pounds I’d put on between 2010 and 2014, which I know because I finally weighed myself when all my clothes fell off me and I got curious. I don’t care about the number on the scales but it’s yet another sign that things are definitely back to normal with me.

And in my case, “normal” means ecstatic, happy, and intense.

In the meantime, I continue to do my rituals and looking forward to spring, such as it is around here. I also still wonder what’s going to happen to me in the future, as in, where I’ll live. In my head, I’m making lists of pros and cons, along the lines of:

Ireland cons

I miss seasons. I am used to lush spring and sunny summers (and, you know, actually wearing t-shirts and shit. Irish people do too, but I’ve long determined that they are genetically incapable of feeling cold) and outdoor rituals, lying on the ground instead of in a puddle, seeing the sunrise on Solstice morning rather than clouds, seeing the moon more often than twice a month, and all that stuff. Hmph.

The almost complete absence of walking paths is getting to me. I used to walk all the time, spending 1-3 hours outside daily in “my” fields and by the river. Here, I walk along roads. This really interferes with my pagan practice.

No proper internet outside of towns. I’d like to live somewhere even more rural than here, but I need wired broadband for my job and my business.

Ireland pros

Whenever I go, well, anywhere here in Mayo and also Galway and surrounding counties, I breathe a sigh of, hm, relief? Recognition? This is where my soul originates. It’s simply where I need to be.

I love the people here, and now that my life is finally taking off again, I definitely don’t want to leave.

The air. THIS air. The intoxicating, ravishing, beautiful, yummy air. Every breath here is a joyful ritual.

I don’t want or need any “advice” on this, it’s a purely subjective thing and right now, only an abstract thought experiment anyway, so don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere! It’s just where I’m at and I thought I’d share it with you.

Please feel free to leave a comment below. It will be visible after approval and I respond to every comment, so do check back later!

Your fitness routine inspires me to get off my bum and start mine again. It just feels so much better to move the body. And don’t worry too much about not blogging regularly. You’re living life, having fun, having experiences!

You know, when I was inert/frozen, I had actually *forgotten* just how good it feels – isn’t that so silly? The remembering when I first started again, and had healed enough to not collapse after a few minutes, was absolutely blissful. Happy re-starting to you! ❤

I’m also torn between living in England and going back to Germany. It’s such a tough call. At the moment I’m dividing my time between the two countries, and I also don’t know, where I will stay one day…perhaps I’ll be the perpetual drifter between two countries… but it’s exciting, isn’t it 🙂

Yes, it does sound exciting! 🙂
For me, it’s more like the question of where else I would go, if I were to leave Ireland. I honestly have no idea! I think that’s another reason why I’m staying, at least for the time being – if there were another country beckoning, I might consider it.

If only the four million people of Norway could agree on speaking *one* language instead of three, plus dialects, and if it wasn’t almost as wet and even colder than Ireland, I’d definitely consider it!
Nah, really, Norway is one of my dream countries, as you know 🙂 I even have a house I want to buy, near Linda’s, just ask her!
Love you too! xx

Loved the photo of you with your bow and arrow. you are in good company with European Martial Arts. I have one friend who has been at it for years, he is really very good with old forms of combat including swords. I have two other friends who used to fence with authentic weapons and clothing in competitions. Glad to see you so revitalized ❤